Strana 20
LAKY OD SPOLEČNOSTI MR.HOBBY
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JOSEF BLAŽEK
over sensitive decals that are prone to damage
from stronger chemicals. On the downside,
however, we must note that it dries more slowly
compared to lacquers (C, GX, and GGX), and the
fact that the surface remains slightly soft and
prone to scratching even after drying, which
complicates further handling. At the same
time, the H030 gloss paint does not achieve as
deep a glass-like shine in the first coat as the
more advanced C, GX, or GGX series, just as the
H020 matte paint cannot fully compete with
the matte paints of the C, GX, and GGX series.
However, after applying multiple coats, both
paints perform to their full potential.
ProPer PaintinG ProceDure
Achieving a perfect result when painting
requires following several best practices
that will help you to avoid the most common
mistakes, such as the so-called orange peel
effect or the dreaded whitening resembling
frost on the surface. The orange peel effect
occurs when the paint dries too quickly and
the microdroplets on the model do not have
time to merge into a single, smooth surface.
When working with an airbrush, this can be
effectively prevented by using only Mr. Color
Leveling Thinner. I recommend thinning the
paint more than is customary with standard
pigment paints, ideally in a 1:4 ratio in favor of
the thinner. The trick to applying gloss paint
is to apply the first coat very thinly, like a fine
dusting, let it dry slightly, and then spray the
second coat “wet-on-wet.” In other words,
apply enough to create a continuous glossy
film on the model, which—thanks to the drying
retarder in the thinner—will blend and level
perfectly but won’t start to run yet.
Matte paints require a completely opposite
approach, as the biggest nightmare for
modelers is the “frosting” effect—the formation
of a white haze and gray patches. This effect is
caused by the accumulation of a matte agent
that did not dissolve properly or by applying
a layer that is too thick. High humidity in the
room can also play a role. To eliminate these
risks, it’s best to follow the rule of not spraying
matte varnishes (especially standard C182
varnish) if it’s raining outside or if the room is
humid, because the drying varnish will absorb
moisture from the air and may turn partially
white. Another key point for proper application
of matte varnish is the preparation itself. Matte
additives generally settle at the bottom of the
bottle as a “thick paste”; simply shaking the
bottle is not enough, and you must always
mechanically stir the varnish before use—for
example, with a wooden stirrer—until the
mixture is completely homogeneous. Unlike
glossy varnish, the application of matte varnish
must not be done “wet-on-wet.” I recommend
always applying matte varnishes in several
very thin, dry coats, which will ensure a velvety
matte and perfectly clean matte finish.
so wHicH VarnisH is tHe Best?
Mr. Hobby’s extensive portfolio of varnishes
offers us a wide range of options, but it also
requires a clear idea of what we want to achieve
on the model. If your priority is absolute comfort
while working—meaning minimal odor in your
home and long-term surface protection—the
modern GGX series, led by the LG112 and LG113
paints, is the best choice thanks to its large
bottles and built-in UV filter, and it currently
represents the absolute pinnacle of the product
line. The GX series also produces a very hard
finish and is popular among modelers focused
on car models, motorcycle builders, and
anyone else who requires a hard surface ready
to be polished with abrasive pastes to a mirror
finish. However, compared to the GGX series,
the odor is more pronounced, comparable
to that of the C series. Noteworthy in the GX
series is the GX114 matte clear coat, which
offers a beautiful velvety matte finish, although
it lacks UV protection. Although the traditional
Mr. Color paints (C Series) are somewhat
overshadowed today by their more innovative
counterparts, they still represent a reliable
and fast-drying classic for those who need to
preserve 100% sharpness in the finest details
and rivet lines. The H acrylic series offers an
alternative for home spraying, especially in
smaller living spaces, and is also a good choice
for delicate decals. However, we must sacrifice
some mechanical resistance and accept
a longer drying time. Simply put, there is no
one-size-fits-all choice for paint—it depends
on the specific project and the modeler.
My personal choice from Mr. Hobby’s lineup is
the GGX series of paints and the velvety-matte
GX114 Super Smooth Clear Flat.
The comprehensive test of matte varnishes highlights the differences described in the article. I applied all the
matte clear coats to a glossy surface to better simulate real-world use and, at the same time, verify their ability
to create a matte finish without the aid of a base coat. I achieved the best results with the LG113 GGX Clear UV Cut
Flat matte clear coat from the GGX series and the GX114 Super Smooth Clear Flat matte clear coat from the
GX series. Overall, the good news is that all these varnishes can produce a nice matte finish, but the differences
lie primarily in the difficulty of application and the ease of achieving the desired level of matte finish. It is essen
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tial to follow the conditions I mentioned during application to avoid major issues with the final appearance of the
surface on the finished model.
INFO Eduard20
October 2026